At the SugarHouse Casino Friday Kings Promotions has unbeaten Philly bantamweight and former National Golden Gloves Champion Christian Carto in the Main Event.
Carto, 16-0 (11), is one of the most popular of the young Philadelphian prospects that seem to outnumber the contenders in the city known for their boxers. Wednesday night at the SugarHouse Casino Marshall Kauffman President of King’s Promotions held a press conference there. Kauffman is one of the busiest promoters in the country and has possibly in his words been involved not only with Carto’s professional debut but nine of his 16 bouts up to this point.
“Carto has never been put in soft. He’s fought such opponents as Alonso Melendez, 14-1, and southpaw James Smith, 12-1 to mention a few,” said Kauffman.
When asked if he knew much about his opponent Carto a young man of few words said “I try to see as much tape of my opponents as possible. I’ve had a good camp.”
Carto’s new trainer Billy Briscoe in his second bout replacing Mickey Rosati who was with Carto almost from the beginning of his amateur career had this to say: His opponent Antonio Rodriguez will come right at you and has a very good jab”. Briscoe well known in the Philly area had his No. 1 boxer Middleweight “King” Gabe Rosado at the press conference. He is also starting to work with Philly lightweight Damon Allen who suffered his first defeat recently. Briscoe will be working on his defense.
With the pulling out of Philly’s Tyrone Crawley, 7-1-1, due to the death of a close friend the event has been reduced to six bouts with some of the Philly young talent. Unbeaten welterweight Poindexter Knight, 5-0 (2), will be taking on his toughest opponent to date in Travis Castellon, 16-2-1 (12), of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, 6 rounds.
Philly welterweight James Martin, 2-0 (0), the son of former Philly contender Jerry “The Bull” Martin, will face Denis Okoth, 2-0-1 (1), of Siaya, KY, 4 rounds. Kauffman said could be “the fight of the night!”
The return of lightweight Frankie Trader, 10-2-1 (2), of over four years, takes on Pablo Cupul, 10-27- (5), of San Diego, CA, 6 rounds. Cupul is not new to Philly having fought unbeaten Philly prospects Stephen “Schoolboy” Fulton, Manny “Major Pain” Folly and Brandon “The Gift” Pizzaro.
Philly Welterweight Mark Dawson, 4-0 (3), takes on Chukka Willis, 3-6 (2), of Emporia, KS, 4 rounds. Philly middleweight making his debut and the nephew of former world champion Charles “Hatchet” Brewer, Maurice Burke, takes on Brandon Bey, of the Bronx, NY, also making his debut.
Look to be entertained by half a dozen exciting bouts Friday night!